📚 Book Logger Web App

A clean, modern web application designed to help track and manage your reading list. This project has evolved from a simple Python command-line script into a full-stack web application featuring a Flask REST API backend and a responsive HTML/CSS/JS frontend.

It tracks books across three distinct categories: Completed, Currently Reading, and Planned.

✨ Features

• Auto-Launch: The application automatically opens your default web browser when started.
• Kanban-style Tracking: View your books categorized into three clear columns.
• REST API Backend: Uses Python Flask to handle data requests (GET, POST).
• State Management: Move books between statuses (e.g., from Planned to Reading) using an intuitive dropdown menu.
• Persistent Data: All data is automatically saved to local text files (.txt) in a Book Logs directory.

🛠️ Tech Stack

• Backend: Python 3, Flask, Flask-CORS
• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, Vanilla JavaScript (Fetch API)
• Data Storage: Plain Text Files (Flat-file storage)

🚀 Installation and Setup

Prerequisites

You need Python 3.x installed on your system.

1. Clone and Setup

Clone the repository and navigate to the project root:

git clone https://github.com/Wiruden/BookLogger
cd BookLogger

2. Install Dependencies

You will need to install Flask and Flask-CORS:

pip install flask flask-cors

3. Run the Application

Navigate to the python directory and start the script. This will start the local server and automatically launch the GUI in your web browser.

cd python
python app.py

You should see a message in the terminal saying "Server is running on port 5000..." and your browser will pop up automatically.

📖 Usage Guide

1. Add a Book: Type a book title in the input box at the top and click "Log Book". It will appear in the "Planned" column.
2. Manage a Book: Click the pencil icon (✎) next to any book title to open the action menu.
   • Move: Select a new category (e.g., "Move to Reading") to transfer the book.
   • Delete: Remove the book permanently from your logs.
3. Data Persistence: You can close the browser or stop the server; your data remains saved in the python/Book Logs folder.

📂 Project Structure

BookLogger/
│
├── python/                 # Backend Logic
│   ├── app.py              # The Flask API (handles auto-launch)
│   └── Book Logs/          # Generated automatically
│       ├── Completed_Books_Log.txt
│       ├── Reading_Books_Log.txt
│       └── Planned_Books_Log.txt
│
├── website/                # Frontend Interface
│   ├── index.html          # Main webpage
│   ├── style.css           # Styling
│   └── script.js           # API connections
│
├── .gitignore
└── README.md

🎨 Application Interface

🛣️ ROADMAP

• Executable Creation: Bundle into a .exe using Auto-Py-To-Exe for simpler distribution.
• Database Integration: Migrate from .txt files to SQLite.
• Book Metadata: Integrate with Google Books API for cover art.

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Created by Wiruden